Portable and adjustable exercise support system

ABSTRACT

A portable and adjustable hand support exercise device is disclosed. The device can include two platform support structure groups. Each group can have a bottom platform, a top platform, and an optional middle platform. The platforms can include interlocking members. An exercise support system having two platform support structure groups and a bridge member is also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/510,294, filed on Jul. 21, 2011, entitled “A Portable and Adjustable Hand Support Structure for Muscle Building Exercises”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to exercise apparatus and, more particularly, to a portable and an adjustable support system for muscle building exercises, aerobic exercise and the like.

BACKGROUND

When performing some exercises (e.g., muscle building, aerobic or the like) it may be helpful to elevate the hands or feet. For example, when doing an inverted shoulder press, one using one's own body weight, one would flip upside down with hands on support system platforms and feet elevated (e.g., by resting on an object or a wall), and then press up and down with the arms. By simply performing inverted should presses on the floor, a person may not be able to get the full range of arm motion desired. To address this type of limitation, some people place books under their hands to allow for a greater range of motion. However, this method can be unstable and potentially dangerous, not to mention that the books may not be of the same thickness, and therefore may create a disparity between the height off the floor of each hand. Conventional push-up bars may be inadequate for certain exercises such as the inverted shoulder press because they may be unstable, uncomfortable and the bar can put too much pressure on one section of the hand as opposed to spreading out the weight over the entire hand.

Embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentioned problems and limitations, among other things.

SUMMARY

An embodiment can provide a portable and adjustable hand support structure for muscle building exercises and may provide a stable structure having an adjustable height above the floor. One embodiment can include two main support structures, one for each arm. Each structure can include one or more platforms. A top platform can have a flat non-slip top surface. Additional support platforms can be stacked under the top platform. Each platform can be stacked one on top of another. Also, each platform can be detached according to a desired elevation from the floor. The higher the platforms are stacked, the greater the possible range of motion for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-perspective view of an example group of assembled support platforms in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom-perspective view of an example group of assembled support platforms in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of an example group of assembled support platforms in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an example group of assembled support platforms in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an example group of support platforms in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bottom platform in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom platform in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example middle platform in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example middle platform in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example top platform in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example top platform in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 14 is a close-up perspective view of a second example embodiment comprising two platforms in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of an example system having two platforms groups and a bridge member in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an example system having two platforms groups and a bridge member in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an example system having two platforms groups and a bridge member in accordance with at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, an example exercise support system includes three platforms (1, 2 and 3). The top platform 1 has hand rest support material 4. The hand rest support material 4 can be made from a variety of soft materials (e.g., rubber, neoprene or the like), which can help support the hand and absorbs the user's weight and shock from impacts. The hand rest support material 4 also gives the user a non-slip surface, which can help with the stability of the user while performing exercises. The top platform 1 also includes a special place for a logo 6.

The top platform 1 is securely rested on top of the middle platform 2. The middle platform 2 is an optional add-on platform that can be used to adjust the height of the support system according to a user's needs and/or according to a desired range of motion. If the user needs more height to perform the required exercise, a bottom platform 3 can be added to increase the height of the total support system structure. Each platform includes a handle cut (e.g. handle cut 5 on the bottom platform 3), which can be used to lift the platform and/or support system and move the entire device. FIG. 4 shows handle cuts 9 and 10 of the middle platform 2 and the top platform 1, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows the underside of the support system and in particular, the underside of the bottom platform 3, which includes a surface gripping element 7 disposed at each corner.

As shown in FIG. 5, a surface gripping element 7 is disposed on each of the bottom corners of each of the platforms. The surface gripping elements 7 can help the support system structure be more stable and resist slipping. The surface gripping elements 7 are disposed in indentions 8, which also help to interlock the platforms to one another. The hand rest support material 4 has a corresponding indent 11. The handle cut 10 helps to pick up and move the top platform 1 either from the floor or from a middle platform 2 or bottom platform 3. The handle cut 9 helps to pick up and move the middle platform 2 either from the floor or from the bottom platform 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example middle platform 2 having a raised wall 14, surface gripping element indent 8 and locking pins 12.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example bottom platform 3 having surface gripping elements 7 and handle cuts 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example bottom platform 3 having a raised wall 14, surface gripping element indents 8, locking pins 12 and handle cuts 5.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example middle platform 2 showing raised wall portion 14, surface gripping member indents 15, locking pin indents 13 and handle cuts 9.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example top platform 1 showing hand rest support material 4, the logo recess 6 and handle cut 10.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example top platform 1 showing logo recess 6, surface gripping elements 7, handle cuts 10 and locking pin indents 13.

In reference to FIG. 12, it can be seen that an interlocking mechanism includes a raised wall 14 from the middle platform 2 that slides into the interior wall of the top platform 1. The raised wall 14 helps ensure that the platforms align and sit tightly on top of one another. The raised wall 14 also applies between the bottom platform 3 to the middle platform 2. A locking pin 12 is located on eight different spots on each of the platforms. Once the top platform 1 is placed on top of the middle platform 2, each locking pin 12 slides into a corresponding locking pin indent 13. The same process also applies once the middle platform 2 is placed on the bottom platform 3 and each locking pin 12 of the bottom platform slides into a respective locking pin indent 13 on the middle platform. Locking pin indents 13 are disposed at eight locations corresponding to locations of the locking pins, on both the top platform 1 and middle platform 2.

FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment which includes two platforms in the support system structure, a top platform 15 and a bottom platform 16.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of an example system 20 having two platforms groups of three platforms (1, 2 and 3) and a bridge member 22. The embodiment shown in FIG. 15 can be used for exercises such as dumbbell presses, flies, dumbbell bent-over rows, leg lifts, extensions, stair step and the like. The bridge member 22 can include hand cuts and locking mechanisms similar to those described above for securing the bridge member 22 to the platform groups. FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an example bridge member 22. FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the example system 20.

The platforms (top, middle and/or bottom) can be made of metal, plastic or any suitable material.

Embodiments can be used for exercises including, but not limited to:

a) inverted shoulder press (e.g., using one's own body weight, one would flip upside down with hands on support system platforms, and then press up and down with the arms). An embodiment can provide a greater range of motion, without hitting one's head on the floor while performing this exercise;

b) “V” shoulder presses, which can be good for a person just starting out in exercise and muscle building and not quite at a strength level to perform an inverted shoulder press, in a V shoulder press, one places both feet on the floor and leans over to place each hand on a support platform with the body in an inverted “V” shape and extends and retracts the arms;

c) push-ups (e.g., using one's own body weight, similar use to the prior art of push up bars, except an embodiment can provide better stability and greater comfort), an embodiment can also produce less stress on hands, since body weight is spread out over entire hand;

d) incline push-ups and decline push-ups—using one's own body weight, the body is adjusted to various angles relative to an embodiment, impacting different muscles of the chest while performing this exercise; and

e) triceps: (i) triceps isometric: one would lay their hands on the top platform and either they would have their feet straight in front elevated parallel to the floor or feet would be placed on floor with legs straight or legs would be crossed in front of you and elevated, and/or (2) triceps presses: similar to triceps isometric except the user would press up and down with their arms.

Further embodiments can include structures which are not limited to the number of platforms as herein stated and as illustrated in the referenced figures. The number of platforms may differentiate within further embodiments. Although the invention has been explained in relation to example embodiments, it will be appreciated that other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. 

1. A portable and adjustable hand support exercise device comprising: two platform support structure groups, each group comprising: a bottom platform; and a top platform, wherein the top platform includes: a hand support material member disposed in a hand support material indent on a top surface of the top platform, at least one handle cut out, a plurality of locking pin indents, and a plurality of surface gripping elements, each disposed in a corresponding surface gripping element indent, wherein the bottom platform includes: at least one handle cut, a raised wall portion, a plurality of locking pins disposed at locations corresponding to locations of the locking pin indents on the top platform, a plurality of surface gripping member indents disposed on a top surface of the bottom platform, and a plurality of surface gripping elements disposed on a bottom surface of the bottom platform.
 2. The portable and adjustable hand support exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a middle platform having: at least one handle cut, a raised wall portion, a plurality of locking pin indents disposed at locations corresponding to locations of the locking pins on the bottom platform, and a plurality of locking pins disposed at locations corresponding to locations of the locking pin indents on the top platform.
 3. An exercise support system comprising: a bridge member; and two platform support groups, each platform support group having: a bottom platform; and a top platform configured to connect to the bridge member, wherein the top platform includes: a hand support material member disposed in a hand support material indent on a top surface of the top platform, at least one handle cut out, a plurality of locking pin indents, and a plurality of surface gripping elements, each disposed in a corresponding surface gripping element indent, wherein the bottom platform includes: at least one handle cut, a raised wall portion, a plurality of locking pins disposed at locations corresponding to locations of the locking pin indents on the top platform, a plurality of surface gripping member indents disposed on a top surface of the bottom platform, and a plurality of surface gripping elements disposed on a bottom surface of the bottom platform.
 4. The portable and adjustable exercise support system of claim 3, further comprising a middle platform having: at least one handle cut; a raised wall portion; a plurality of locking pin indents disposed at locations corresponding to the locking pins on the bottom platform; and a plurality of locking pins disposed at locations corresponding to the locations of the locking pin indents on the top platform. 